Personal Life

I believe in sharing aspects of my personal life to foster connection and explore potential commonalities that may help you feel more at ease in seeking counselling. As a therapist, I bring not only my professional expertise but also the insights gained from my own life experiences, which have profoundly shaped my approach to practice.

I have been married to my husband for over 30 years and am the proud mother of three unique adult children, as well as one beloved furry family member.

In addition to these roles, I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend—relationships that hold immense importance in my life. I strive to nurture healthy and authentic connections in all aspects of my personal life.

My sister and I were adopted, and I am part of an interracial family. This experience has provided me with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the diverse challenges children from non-traditional family structures may face.

For fun, I like to hunt for sea glass, read, paint and watch Hallmark movies (especially the Christmas ones -much to my husband’s chagrin!?!).

My favorite foods are: pizza (Romano’s is the best!!!); chocolate; and jawbreakers (the large ones… but please don’t tell my dentist!). 

Going through the Covid -19 pandemic taught me that the future is not always predictable and not to put things off until “tomorrow”. I am living for today and try to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The name of my practice is Ohana Counselling, inspired by the concept of “ohana,” meaning family. Many recognize this term from the movie Lilo & Stitch, and for me, it holds profound personal significance. When deciding on a name for my business, I had a moment of clarity as I glanced at the tattoo on my arm featuring this meaningful word. It felt like a perfect symbol of what I aim to embody in my work—a commitment to supporting families through challenges together.

Mental health struggles rarely exist in isolation; they often impact the entire family. This belief guided my decision to offer services that address the needs of the whole family.

My path to becoming a therapist was unconventional. I spent 28 years as a Recreation Therapist with Horizon Health, a role that allowed me to connect with individuals in a meaningful, approachable way. Over time, many people shared their challenges with me, and I felt unprepared to provide the level of support they needed. Determined to make a greater impact, I returned to school in my forties to pursue a Master’s degree in Education in Counselling. Balancing full-time work, raising three teenagers, and completing graduate studies was a immense challenge, but with the support of my family and friends, I graduated in 2013. This career change has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.

Throughout my career, I have gained diverse professional experience working in geriatric care at hospitals, the Ridgewood Veterans Wing, Centracare Psychiatric Hospital, and Community Child and Youth Mental Health. These experiences have enriched my perspective and deepened my ability to support clients in various stages and circumstances of life.